Programs: UA 1K MM, DL MM, AS, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 971
My oddest such experience: I was visiting Tienanmen (the Gate of Heavenly Peace) in Beijing with a friend when a very cute young Chinese guy dressed in a yellow imperial robe came up and asked permission to have his picture taken with me (a very ordinary middle-aged lao wai). Although his English was good, I was sure he meant to be offering to let me have my picture taken with him with my camera, and would then ask me for money ... but no, his friend whipped out a camera and took our picture, him with a big smile and me, I'm sure, with a befuddled look.
But to be fair, most of the experiences described here are quite different from what the OP described. It's one thing to have people ask your permission. It's quite another for somebody to wordlessly turn around and snap a photo. Without additional details it's impossible to say whether cultural differences were at play in the OP's situation...or whether it was simply a creep.
Usually on the way to the PATH train as I am walking past the World Trade Center site, there are tourists snapping shots....and blocking foot traffic.
I am the angry New Yorker in the background...
I have been known to take photos of clueless people in airports, in bars, etc, when I find the clothes/outfit they are wearing particular funny or hideous just so I can forward it to friends to snicker at later on. Have you not seen http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ which is all about snappng photos of unsuspecting poorly dressed people in Wal-Mart?
My Indonesia colleagues explained to me that it is a fairly common school project for kids - to take pictures of/with strangers that you meet during your vacation.
I have been known to take photos of clueless people in airports, in bars, etc, when I find the clothes/outfit they are wearing particular funny or hideous just so I can forward it to friends to snicker at later on. Have you not seen http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ which is all about snappng photos of unsuspecting poorly dressed people in Wal-Mart?
Someone directed me to the peopleofwalmart site a few weeks ago - some of the pics and descriptions are truly hilarious.
But to be fair, most of the experiences described here are quite different from what the OP described. It's one thing to have people ask your permission. It's quite another for somebody to wordlessly turn around and snap a photo. Without additional details it's impossible to say whether cultural differences were at play in the OP's situation...or whether it was simply a creep.
Tiannamen Square, when I visited on 1st May, not really getting that it was May Day until I turned up (sadly, or fortunately, missed the parade).
Left in about 15 minutes as the relentless picture taking from all around me freaked me out. It's one thing to have the odd picture taken. It's another to find yourself constantly being photographed whichever way you turn.
